The 6-foot-5½ swingman was among 27 players vying for spots on the team that will represent the U.S. at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia between July 7-16. Among those selected as finalists following three days of tryouts at the U.S. Olympic Training Center include Duke’s Rodney Hood and Notre Dame’s Jerian Grant – both of whom will play in the ACC next season.

Final selections for the team will be made Sunday, after four more days of workouts.

It is not known whether Hairston would have been among the 12 finalists had he not gotten hurt. The injury, however, is the latest in a series of misfortunes – most of them self-inflicted – to haunt the Tar Heels’ top returning scorer since announcing last month that he planned to return to school for his junior season.

His troubles began on June 5, when he and two friends were arrested and charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana following a routine license check in Durham. Hairston was also charged for driving without a license, and an investigation is ongoing to determine the ownership of a 9-millimeter handgun found at the scene.

Then last week it was reported that the NCAA is looking into Hairston’s relationship with Greensboro sports agent Rodney Blackstock. Among the red flags that were raised was the rented GMC Yukon Hairston was driving at the time of his arrest.

UNC coach Roy Williams said he is “waiting until all the information comes out” before making a decision on how or whether he will discipline Hairston.

Hairston averaged 14.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for the Tar Heels last season.